Find Yuba County Family Court Records

Yuba County handles family law cases through the Superior Court of California, County of Yuba, located in Marysville. The court processes dissolution of marriage, legal separation, child custody, child support, spousal support, domestic violence restraining orders, and parentage actions for county residents. People seeking case information can contact the family law division at (530) 740-1800 Extension 5 or visit the courthouse at 215 Fifth Street, Suite 200, in Marysville. The court provides forms and basic procedural information for individuals representing themselves in family law matters. The family law division page at www.yuba.courts.ca.gov/divisions/family-law offers resources on filing procedures and court services for those navigating family court cases.

Yuba County Superior Court

The Superior Court of California, County of Yuba, operates from a courthouse at 215 Fifth Street, Suite 200, in Marysville. This facility handles all family law matters for Yuba County residents. The family law division processes new case filings, schedules hearings, and maintains case files. Judges and commissioners hear family law cases including divorces, custody disputes, support modifications, and restraining order requests. Contact the family law division at (530) 740-1800 Extension 5 for general information about filing requirements and court procedures.

Court staff at the clerk's office accept new filings and provide access to existing case files. When you file papers, the clerk stamps them with the filing date and assigns a case number if it is a new case. That filing date sets deadlines for service, response, and other case events. Clerks can answer basic procedural questions about what forms you need or where to find case information. They cannot give legal advice or help you fill out forms. This limitation applies to all court staff in California by law.

Hearings are held at the Marysville courthouse. Arrive at least 15 minutes early to allow time for security screening and finding the correct courtroom. Bring government-issued photo identification and copies of all documents filed in your case. Check in at the courtroom when you arrive. Court calendars can be busy, so your hearing may not start exactly on time. Wait in or near the courtroom so you hear when your case is called. Judges expect professional behavior whether you have an attorney or represent yourself.

The courthouse is open Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Some departments may have different hours. Call ahead or check the court website before visiting to confirm hours for the specific office you need.

How to Search for Cases

Yuba County Superior Court does not provide online public access to detailed family law case records. You must contact the court or visit in person to search for cases. Call the clerk's office at (530) 740-1800 Extension 5 during business hours. Provide the case number if you have it, or give the names of both parties. Staff can look up cases and confirm basic public information like filing dates and upcoming hearings.

Visit the courthouse in Marysville to review case files in person. Go to the clerk's office at 215 Fifth Street, Suite 200. Bring government-issued photo ID. Ask to view a specific case by providing the case number or party names. Staff will direct you to where you can review the file. Keep in mind that family law cases have special access restrictions under California law. You may see only limited information unless you are a party to the case or have legal authorization for broader access.

California Rules of Court Rule 2.503 restricts remote access to family law case documents. This statewide rule applies to dissolution, custody, support, and domestic violence cases. Even if Yuba County develops online case search capabilities in the future, full family law documents will remain available only at the courthouse. The rule exists to protect privacy in sensitive family matters. Registers of actions and calendars may be viewable remotely. Actual filed documents require an in-person visit to the courthouse.

Copies of court documents are available from the clerk's office. Standard copies cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies include an official court seal and cost $40 for certification plus the per-page copy fee. You need certified copies for official purposes like submitting to another court or government agency. Regular copies are fine for your own records. Request copies at the clerk's counter. Large copy requests may take time to process, so ask about turnaround when making your request.

Starting a Family Law Case

Filing a new family law case begins with completing required court forms. California courts use standardized Judicial Council forms for family law matters. Forms are available free from the California Courts website or at the courthouse. For divorce, you need form FL-100 (Petition for Dissolution of Marriage) along with other required forms. Download forms, review instructions carefully, and complete them before visiting the courthouse. Mistakes on forms can cause delays or rejection by the clerk.

Take completed forms to the clerk's office at 215 Fifth Street, Suite 200, in Marysville. The filing fee for the first paper in a family law case is $435. Bring payment as a check, money order, or cash. Some courts accept credit cards but call ahead to verify payment options. If you cannot afford the fee, file form FW-001 to request a fee waiver. Attach proof of income such as pay stubs or documentation of public benefits. The court reviews fee waiver applications and approves them based on income guidelines.

After filing, you must serve the other party with copies of all filed documents. Service is the legal process of officially delivering papers so the other person receives notice of the case. You cannot serve papers yourself in most family law cases. Use a registered process server, the sheriff's office, or in some situations service by mail. The person who serves papers must complete a proof of service form. File that proof with the court to show service was completed correctly. Your case cannot move forward until proof of service is filed.

Response deadlines are strict. The served party has 30 days after service to file a response. Missing this deadline can result in a default judgment. If you were served with family law papers, do not wait until the last day to respond. Visit the courthouse as soon as possible to file your response and avoid default.

Note: Yuba and Sutter Counties share some court services, so you may hear references to both counties at the courthouse.

Self-Help Resources

Yuba County Superior Court provides basic self-help information for people representing themselves in family law cases. Court staff can answer procedural questions, direct you to appropriate forms, and explain filing requirements. Call (530) 740-1800 Extension 5 or visit the clerk's office. Staff cannot provide legal advice about your specific situation or help you complete forms. Those services require an attorney.

The California Courts website offers comprehensive self-help materials available free online. Resources include form instructions, procedure guides, and informational videos covering divorce, custody, support, and restraining orders. Many materials are available in Spanish and other languages. The family law section of the California Courts website is an excellent starting point if you are handling a case yourself and need to understand court processes and requirements.

Legal Services of Northern California provides free legal help to eligible low-income residents in Yuba County. LSNC handles family law cases involving custody, support, and domestic violence. Call (916) 551-2150 to speak with intake staff who will determine if you qualify for services based on income and case type. If you qualify, LSNC may provide advice, help with paperwork, or court representation depending on your situation and their current capacity. Wait times can be long due to high demand for free legal services.

Private attorneys are available if you do not qualify for free legal aid or prefer to hire your own lawyer. Many attorneys offer initial consultations at reduced fees. During a consultation, you can explain your situation and get advice on your legal options. The State Bar of California operates a lawyer referral service at 1-866-442-2529. They will connect you with local attorneys who handle family law cases. Initial consultation fees are typically lower than the attorney's regular hourly rate.

Filing Fees and Copy Costs

Yuba County uses California's statewide fee schedule for court filings. The first filing in a family law case costs $435 whether you file a petition or response. Additional motions filed during the case cost $60 per filing. Some documents have no filing fee including income and expense declarations, proofs of service, and certain requests for orders. If you are unsure whether a fee applies to a specific document, ask the clerk before submitting it.

Fee waivers help people who cannot afford court fees. File form FW-001 along with documentation showing your income or receipt of public benefits. The court reviews applications and supporting documents. If approved based on income limits tied to federal poverty guidelines, you can file papers without paying fees. Fee waivers cover court filing fees but not other costs like process servers or certified copies. You must pay those separately even with an approved fee waiver.

Document copies are available from the clerk's office. Standard copies cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies cost an additional $40 for the certification which includes an official seal and clerk's signature. Certified copies are required for official purposes such as submitting to government agencies or other courts. Regular copies are sufficient for your personal records. Payment is typically due when you pick up copies or at the time of request for large copy orders.

Nearby Counties

Yuba County is located in Northern California and borders several counties. Family law cases must be filed in the county where you or the other party resides. Check jurisdiction carefully if you live near a county border.